Sunday, June 15, 2014

Google Earth view of Arizona earth fissures

AZGS geologist Joe Cook, who manages our Earth Fissures mapping program, has created a Google Earth view of all the Earth Fissures identified in Arizona thus far. The Google Earth app complements the online interactive Earth Fissure Viewer which is widely used by home buyers, home builders, real estate professionals, and local planners.

Earth fissures typically form due to basin subsidence in areas of rapid groundwater withdrawal. Fissures have formed in Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties in Arizona, but also occur in California, Texas, Mexico, and other areas with similar conditions.